ED Chargesheet Against Robert Vadra Sparks Political Uproar
• Witch Hunt or Justice? Vadra vs ED
• Rahul Gandhi Defends Vadra in Land Deal Case
• ₹37.6 Cr Assets Attached, Vadra Fights Back
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
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- ED Chargesheet Against Robert Vadra Sparks Political Uproar
- • Witch Hunt or Justice? Vadra vs ED
- • Rahul Gandhi Defends Vadra in Land Deal Case
- • ₹37.6 Cr Assets Attached, Vadra Fights Back
- ED Alleges ₹37.6 Crore in Illegitimate Assets Linked to Vadra
The Enforcement Directorate has filed a chargesheet against Robert Vadra in a Gurugram land deal case, sparking political backlash. Rahul Gandhi called it a decade-long witch hunt. With ₹37.6 crore in assets attached, Vadra vows to clear his name in court. The Sprouts SIT highlights growing concerns over selective prosecutions.
In a scathing response to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) chargesheet against businessman Robert Vadra, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has condemned the move as yet another step in a decade-long political vendetta. The chargesheet, filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), names Vadra and several others in connection with a controversial land deal in Gurugram.
Calling it a “malicious and politically motivated” move, Gandhi declared, “My brother-in-law has been hounded by this government for the last ten years. This latest chargesheet is just a continuation of that witch hunt.”
The Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) highlights that this is the first criminal prosecution complaint filed against Vadra by a central agency, signaling a significant escalation in the legal and political battle.
ED Alleges ₹37.6 Crore in Illegitimate Assets Linked to Vadra
43 Properties Attached Amidst Land Deal Probe
According to the ED, the chargesheet was submitted before the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi and includes the attachment of 43 properties worth ₹37.6 crore, reportedly held by Vadra and his firm Skylight Hospitality Pvt Ltd. The agency alleges these properties were acquired through illicit means linked to the Gurugram land deal.
Sources from news agency PTI confirm that the prosecution complaint is backed by months of investigation, and the ED has invoked multiple provisions under the PMLA Act, often used in high-profile corruption and money laundering cases.
The Sprouts SIT notes that this case originated over a decade ago when IAS officer Ashok Khemka cancelled the mutation of the concerned land deal in October 2012. Khemka’s role in exposing irregularities earned him both national acclaim and administrative retribution—he was transferred 57 times during his 34-year career, before retiring in April 2024.
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Vadra Responds: “Looking Forward to Clearing My Name”
Says Court Has Yet to Take Cognisance
Soon after the ED filed the chargesheet, Vadra released a statement via his office expressing confidence in due process. “I look forward to defending myself in court and clearing my name,” he said.
The statement, quoted by news agency ANI, emphasized that the court has not yet taken cognisance of the charges. Vadra also clarified he has not yet had access to review the prosecution complaint.
Earlier, Vadra termed the investigation as part of a “coordinated political attack” aimed at silencing not just him but also his brother-in-law Rahul Gandhi. “We have faced attacks before and will do so again with dignity. The truth will prevail,” Gandhi stated in support.
Opposition vs. Enforcement Agencies: A Growing Divide
SIT Flags Patterns in High-Profile Probes
This episode adds to a growing list of cases where opposition figures claim to be targeted through investigative agencies. The Sprouts SIT has previously documented similar trends, where chargesheets are timed strategically ahead of major political developments or elections.
Legal experts question whether the ED’s method of investigation and public disclosure aligns with constitutional protections and judicial fairness. While no court ruling has yet validated the charges, the political fallout has already begun, with Congress accusing the government of using selective prosecution to distract from core governance issues.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders have maintained that law enforcement operates independently, and any allegations must be addressed in court rather than politicized in the media.
Key Background: The Gurugram Land Deal and IAS Whistleblower
The land transaction at the center of the case was linked to Vadra’s firm Skylight Hospitality, which purchased land in Gurugram during the UPA tenure. In 2012, IAS officer Ashok Khemka cancelled the mutation, citing irregularities.
Khemka’s decision triggered a series of administrative actions, ultimately transforming the case into a political flashpoint. His repeated transfers despite his clean record became a symbol of bureaucratic resistance to political interference.
The Sprouts News Investigation Team will continue monitoring court proceedings and responses from stakeholders across the political spectrum.
Also Read: Shiv Sena MLA Exposes Kandivali Dance Bar Under Minister Kadam’s Mother Name.
Legal Battle or Political Battlefield?
As the case moves toward judicial scrutiny, the battle lines between the Congress and BJP are once again drawn around allegations of vendetta politics. The ED’s chargesheet against Robert Vadra, though legally actionable, now forms part of a wider narrative of political targeting, with implications far beyond courtrooms.
While Rahul Gandhi has reaffirmed his support for Vadra, the outcome of this case could set important precedents—both legal and political—for high-profile investigations involving powerful families.
